Gravedigger Ministries founder Joe Oreskovich presents Winder Police Chief Stanley Rodgers with the 2009 Police Chief of the Year Award. Photo courtesy of the Winder Police Department.
Rodgers named chief of the year
Winder Police Chief Stanley Rodgers has been named 2009 Chief of the Year by Gravediggers Ministries.
Gravedigger Ministries founder Joe Oreskovich presented Rodgers with the award on Saturday, September 26.
The award honors Rodgers for his “contributions educating others while spiritually uplifting our community” and for his “dedication to excellence and going beyond the call of duty.”
Oreskovich founded Gravedigger Ministries in 1990 and currently hosts a Christian television program currently shown on Atlanta’s channel 57.
Oreskovich, also known as “the Gravedigger,” became homeless and jobless due to drug use and alcoholism. He was considering suicide when a firefighter led him to Christ.
After serving time in jail, Oreskovich worked to raise money for a memorial to public safety personnel. The memorial, located at Forest Lawn, is comprised of two granite pillars each standing ten feet tall. The pillars, located at the end of the Garden of Peace Public Safety Memorial are engraved with the names of every firefighter and police officer killed in the line of duty in Georgia.
“The Garden of Peace Memorial Gardens is a beautiful site and wonderful tribute to those firefighters and police officers that have lost their lives,” said Chief Rodgers. “I am truly touched by “the Gravedigger’s” triumphant life story and I was humbled by the whole experience as I stood beside the heroes and heroines honored at this event.”
Rodgers began his law enforcement career in 1965 as a Florida state trooper. After retiring from the Florida Highway Patrol, Rodgers continued his work in law enforcement in Barnesville, Georgia. Rodgers worked for the City of Barnesville from 1994 to 2001 when he became police chief of Winder.
Under Rodgers leadership, the Winder Police Department has modernized its operations and made major changes. For the first time in its history, the department has achieved state certification.
Rodgers is an active member of the community belonging to numerous organizations including the Winder Noon Lions Club, Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and The Treehouse Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors.
The award honors Rodgers for his “contributions educating others while spiritually uplifting our community” and for his “dedication to excellence and going beyond the call of duty.”
Oreskovich founded Gravedigger Ministries in 1990 and currently hosts a Christian television program currently shown on Atlanta’s channel 57.
Oreskovich, also known as “the Gravedigger,” became homeless and jobless due to drug use and alcoholism. He was considering suicide when a firefighter led him to Christ.
After serving time in jail, Oreskovich worked to raise money for a memorial to public safety personnel. The memorial, located at Forest Lawn, is comprised of two granite pillars each standing ten feet tall. The pillars, located at the end of the Garden of Peace Public Safety Memorial are engraved with the names of every firefighter and police officer killed in the line of duty in Georgia.
“The Garden of Peace Memorial Gardens is a beautiful site and wonderful tribute to those firefighters and police officers that have lost their lives,” said Chief Rodgers. “I am truly touched by “the Gravedigger’s” triumphant life story and I was humbled by the whole experience as I stood beside the heroes and heroines honored at this event.”
Rodgers began his law enforcement career in 1965 as a Florida state trooper. After retiring from the Florida Highway Patrol, Rodgers continued his work in law enforcement in Barnesville, Georgia. Rodgers worked for the City of Barnesville from 1994 to 2001 when he became police chief of Winder.
Under Rodgers leadership, the Winder Police Department has modernized its operations and made major changes. For the first time in its history, the department has achieved state certification.
Rodgers is an active member of the community belonging to numerous organizations including the Winder Noon Lions Club, Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and The Treehouse Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors.
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